Technical Writing, October 15th, 2013

TODAY

1) Anderson: quick overview of chapter 222) Activity: how we’d write to a potential research

participant3) Activity: Writing to someone you might write to

for YOUR research4) Homework

Chapter 22

In chapter 22, Anderson offers us advice and guidelines for writing technical letters, emails and memos. Here are his key points:

Guideline 1: Adopt a reader-centered “you-attitude.”

Guideline 2: State your main point up front– unless your reader will react negatively.

Guideline 3: Keep it short.

Guideline 4: Give your readers the background they need.

Guideline 5: use headings, lists and graphics

Guideline 6: learn and know the customs of your reader’s culture

Guideline 7: Follow format conventions

ActivityWe’re going to use these guidelines and what we have learned so far to write some emails, the now-most-common form of professional communication. On the next slide is a scenario; I want you, in pairs, to write emails to the three parties mentioned.

Research

Let’s say we were going to research parking on the Oxford Miami campus. I want you to write emails to:

1. Parking services, asking for all the information you believe you’d need.2. President Hodge, asking for a statement.3. A mass email to students, asking for their input.

Remember that you have specific audiences; you should write to address those audiences.

From that…

I want you to spend our remaining time today writing emails to anyone who you think can assist you with your research report.

Remember to be polite, but to follow all the guidelines.

For next class

Read Anderson, Chapter 6

We will talk about citation formats and how to cite things correctly in your reports next class.

Please find out what format is used in your area of study (if you don’t know already). Note: it’s probably APA.